Baby Changing Table & Clothing Organization

Ahh the old condo.  It was fun while it lasted, but I'm glad it didn't last much longer.  We started our married life there as well as brought our two babies home there.  It was bitter sweet to leave, but more sweet than bitter.  This post is a homage to ye 'ole changing table.  We actually still use this piece of furniture as the kids' dresser and changing table at the new house.  Re-purposing the antique proved to be a great move.  Both the littles loved being on the changing table and looking at themselves in the mirror/smearing drool, etc on it/peeing, etc. on it.  Everything was close at hand for Mom and Dad too! Here is a glimpse of the space:

Hamper to the left, diaper genie to the right, wipes in the drawer, diapers on the shelf behind the mirror, toys around the perimeter to distract (attempt to distract) busy babies.

Bottom drawer - linens, sheets, cloth diapers.

Middle drawer - clothes folded and "filed" helped keep everything visible for easy dressing.  

Top drawer - diapering supplies, onesies, bibs, burp cloths, extra wipes.  

Very handy having everything nearby.  The lamp helped shed a little light on certain things needing further attention...diaper rashes, etc.

Now, with a 3 year-old and a 1-year-old, we're still using this method.  The linens from the bottom drawer are stored elsewhere with larger items like sweatshirts and bulky pants for cold seasons stored there instead, and there is a pink drawer (top) and a blue drawer (middle).  We're getting ready to upgrade the little man/older brother to his own dresser seeing as he hasn't laid on this changing table in a while, but for now things are working just fine.  

Merchandised Refrigerator

Merchandised Refrigerator

This is a topic I have mentioned before.  I love doing this at my house.  It is so essential a task because it is so closely related to a life-supporting act - EATING!  We all love to eat, and some of us like to cook.  Here is a picture chronicle of my refrigerator clean out.  Yes, I know there is a watermelon in there.  These aren't new pictures.  They are from a past project at the old condo.  We had a smaller fridge than some households, but it was more energy efficient.  We didn't need much more space but we kept it pretty neat to maximize the space we did have.  

Now that we are in a house, we have a full-sized refrigerator as well as a chest freezer in the garage - both full.  My how things have changed.  

As far as refrigerator design, I am a huge fan of a fridge with as much open space as possible.  I do not like those that have many different shelf levels, divided shelves or item specific compartments everywhere.  One thing is for sure, everyone has different stuff in their fridge and you likely have different items in yours from one week to the next...so, why have so many limitations on your storage.  

It is true for any storage space - the more open and flexible, the better!  I believe this phenomena will someday explain why people's guest rooms frequently turn into their catch-all rooms.  It's easy to put stuff in an open spot.  I like the simple refrigerator, and will one day own a french door, top fridge, bottom freezer unit.  Will I ever be satisfied? Well, maybe not...

Before shots:

Fridge door - BEFORE

Fridge - BEFORE

Fridge - BEFORE

All Empty and Clean!

And, here is the stuff.  Cleaned off, organized and ready to go back.

Fridge Door - AFTER

AFTER - See how much brighter!  It is so easy to see everything, and to reach things as well.

Progress shots:

After shots:

Happy organizing!  

Looks Better, Works Better - Cabinet Reorganization

Looks Better, Works Better - Cabinet Reorganization

Here is a simple reorganizing project I  tackled years ago in the old condo.  I am happy to report that those cabinets and archaic range hood were retired soon after these shots were taken.  But at the time we made do with what we had, and at least it was neat and organized.

The before shot isn't too bad.  The space was sufficient to house all of the necessary items, but it just looked a little sloppy, and I did have a few more items I wanted to put in there.  In a small kitchen, every little bit of storage space is important.  There is a difference between visual disorganization and functional disorganization.  I'd categorize this project as addressing the visual disorganization issue.  

Here is the before shot:

Kitchen Cabinet - BEFORE

Here is the after shot:

Kitchen Cabinet - AFTER

There is something to be said for forward-facing product labels, and I love them.  They are so pretty to look at and I can easily spot the items I need.  Round Lazy Susan Spice racks make this so easy.  A simple spin and you can see what you have.  It is like merchandising your own home for your own use.  You deserve it!

Linen Closet - Looks Better, Works Better

Linen Closet - Looks Better, Works Better
In my organizing work, I talk a lot about limits.  Setting limits and noticing when you've reached your limits is the most important thing in striking a balance between being organized and falling into being disorganized.  Organization is a highly subjective issue.  One person's organized is another person's disorganized.  The below pictures show an in-home organizing project of my own.  The Linen Closet.  It is a pretty good size, but in a particularly busy few weeks it just got out of control.  The limit had been reached - stuff was overflowing and I had a pile of towels to put away, but I didn't have a place to put them.  The signal to carve out some time and tackle it!  Get a trash bag ready, recycle bin nearby and go!

Hallway Linen Closet - BEFORE

Hallway Linen Closet - BEFORE
Look at the stuff just spewing out

Hallway Linen Closet - BEFORE
Who knows WHAT is in there?!?!? 

Hallway Linen Closet - BEFORE
The top shelf looks decent here, but as for the lowest shelf in this picture - who stores their sheets on top of a Vaseline jar?

Hallway Linen Closet - BEFORE
The limit - where do I put this? It used to fit in there??

And here are the after images.  After sorting everything out, I came across expired medicines and old lotions and potions that needed to be tossed.  

Hallway Linen Closet - AFTERWow, you can see the stuff now!

Hallway Linen Closet - AFTER
And, the clean towels all fit!

Hallway Linen Closet - AFTER
The sheets fit too, and they aren't stacked on top of the Vaseline jar anymore. 

I also added a door organizer to hold the little bottles and stuff that was getting lost on the shelves.  I love the deep shelves, but for the small things they weren't working so well.   See a similar  piece here.

Here is a look at the before shot one more time...and the AFTER!